Gamers Push Back: EA Cracks Down on ‘DEI Remover’ Mod for The Sims 4, Sparking Controversy
We’ve been following a developing story where gamers are pushing back against what they see as “woke BS” being forced into video games. This has led to the creation of mods designed to remove such content, but now, game companies like Electronic Arts (EA) are reportedly taking action against these mods.
The focus recently has been on The Sims 4, a game described by some as primarily for kids, despite being played by adults, that reportedly contains a lot of LGBTQ propaganda and other content some find inappropriate for a family game. It’s seen by some as an intentional effort to indoctrinate children.
A specific mod, known as DEI Remover 1.0.0 Z, has become a flashpoint. This mod specifically alters the game’s diverse character options, changing pre-made Sims to be white, straight, and thin only. It also takes LGBTQ couples in the game and changes their relationship to siblings.
According to reports, EA is actively trying to get this mod removed from various websites where it is hosted.
The Controversy and Differing Views:
This situation has caused significant debate. On one side, critics of the mod are reportedly “melting,” calling it not just a mod but an intentional act of erasing representation and pushing a “harmful and disgusting agenda”. They argue that mods like this have no place in the Sims community.
However, we’ve also seen strong arguments pushing back against this viewpoint. It’s pointed out that this mod only affects the individual player who chooses to install and run it. It does not change the game for anyone else.
Many argue that forcing diversity into the game is also pushing an agenda. If controlling character preferences is propaganda, then that’s what EA is doing by including diverse options. The Sims has always been about creativity and letting players tell their own stories, and a mod allowing someone to play with characters who look like them or fit their preferences is simply another way to tell a story within the game.
We’ve seen the argument made that if a player wants to play the game without content they disagree with, such as LGBTQ relationships or fornication, they should be able to mod it out, just as others might want characters who look like them.
EA’s Actions and Community Response:
Reports indicate that EA’s IP enforcement department has been requesting that websites delist the mod, claiming it infringes on EA’s copyrights. One admin who received such a request described it as targeted censorship.
Despite EA’s efforts, the mod reportedly keeps resurfacing on different sites. Some users have celebrated this, seeing it as a fight against a “ludicrous publisher” and declaring that if one version is taken down, others will appear.
There’s a feeling among some that EA’s actions are an overreach or a sign that the company has too much staff. It’s also been noted that other controversial mods, such as those for PD (presumably related to sexual content, though the source is brief on this), reportedly exist for Sims 4, and EA doesn’t seem to pursue them.
Many feel that this whole situation is backfiring on EA. Some see EA’s efforts to remove the mod as them proving the point that they don’t believe players truly own the games they purchase.
We believe players should be able to enjoy their games and fight back against companies that dictate how they must play. This mod, for solo players and their individual enjoyment, seems like a private matter that EA is now litigating against, which many find problematic.
